VIRGINIA · electrician
Journeyman Electrician
Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors, Tradesman Section →Scope of Work
Virginia separates the electrical credential into two tracks. The Tradesman license (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master) is issued by the DPOR Board for Contractors Tradesman Section under Code of Virginia Title 54.1, Chapter 11 and 18VAC50-30. The Contractor license (Class A, B, or C with an Electrical specialty) is a separate credential for the firm that enters into contracts with owners. A journeyman electrician performs electrical work for compensation; a master is authorized to exercise supervisory control over electrical work and is typically the designated qualified individual on a contractor license. Apprentice status is a registration, not a standalone operating license. Source: DPOR Tradesmen (https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen).
Experience and Training
Per 18VAC50-30-39(B), a Journeyman Electrician applicant must meet one of the following combinations of formal vocational training and documented practical experience: bachelor's degree in a trade-related engineering discipline plus 1 year experience; associate degree or 2-year certificate plus 2 years; 240 hours of formal vocational training plus 4 years; 160 hours plus 5 years; 80 hours plus 6 years; 40 hours plus 7 years; or 8 years with no formal training. Source: Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC50-30-39 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodefull/title18/agency50/chapter30/).
Apprenticeship Pathway
Under 18VAC50-30-50(B), an individual who successfully completes an apprenticeship program approved by the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is exempt from the journeyman examination. Registered apprenticeship hours count toward the practical experience total. The apprentice credential itself is a registration with DOLI, not a license to contract or to perform unsupervised work. Source: Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC50-30-50 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincodefull/title18/agency50/chapter30/).
Military Crosswalk
Virginia accepts verifiable military training and on-the-job experience toward the experience total on a case-by-case basis under DPOR review. Relevant MOS examples include Army Interior Electrician (12R), Navy Construction Electrician (CE), and Air Force Electrical Systems (3E0X1). Applicants submit DD-214 and training transcripts with the DPOR tradesman application.
Exam
The Virginia Journeyman Electrician exam is administered by PSI Services at Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Vienna, and Virginia Beach test centers, with additional seats in Johnson City, TN and Salisbury, MD. PSI fee is $100 for journeyman and $125 for master, paid directly to PSI. Topics cover the edition of the National Electrical Code currently adopted by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), conductor sizing and ampacity, grounding and bonding, overcurrent protection, motors, services, branch circuits and feeders, and Virginia tradesman law under 18VAC50-30. Completion of a DOLI-approved apprenticeship waives the exam. Source: DPOR Tradesmen (https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen).
FEES
PSI exam fee $100 journeyman / $125 master (paid to PSI). DPOR application and license fees are set by the Board and posted on the current application form; verify on the DPOR Tradesman forms page before applying. Source: DPOR Tradesmen (https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen).
Renewal and CE
2-year renewal cycle. 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education per cycle, covering the current National Electrical Code edition as adopted in Virginia. All CE must be completed during the 2-year term of the license. Source: DPOR Tradesmen (https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Tradesmen).
Reciprocity
Virginia does not publish formal journeyman-to-journeyman reciprocity agreements with other states. Out-of-state applicants apply through DPOR and may qualify for exam waiver under §54.1-1131 if certified by an approved apprenticeship program or holding an equivalent credential accepted by the Board. Each application is evaluated individually. Source: Code of Virginia §54.1-1131 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title54.1/chapter11/).
Contractor License Distinction
A tradesman credential does not authorize a person to contract with an owner for electrical work. That requires the firm to hold a Contractor license from the Board for Contractors at the appropriate class. Per §54.1-1100: Class C covers single contracts $1,000–$29,999 and annual volume under $250,000; Class B covers single contracts $30,000–$149,999 and annual volume $250,000–$999,999; Class A covers single contracts of $150,000 or more or annual volume of $1 million or more. The firm must also hold the Electrical specialty designation and a Master Electrician of record. Source: Code of Virginia §54.1-1100 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title54.1/chapter11/).